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(Above: the Allan ESV Reader's Reference Bible-available in full range of Allan colors-Black-Brown-Tan and Crimson)
evangelicalbible.com is the official U.S. distributor of the R.L. Allan Bible.
We are proud to distribute the Allan Bible, often known to be the best bound Bibles on earth. Publishers (and customers) nationwide have noted that R.L. Allan uses techniques and materials which truly make it the "Gold Standard" in publishing..we are fortunate they publish Bibles. It is rare to have a product that our company so eagerly recommends. Hand crafted, attention to detail, exceptional materials, durable, and beautiful are a few reasons to choose an Allan Bible.
Established in 1863, R.L.Allan is a family publishing business based in Glasgow, Scotland, which specializes in producing high quality editions of the best English language Bible translations. Allan's exclusive Bibles are printed in bold, black type on India paper by Oxford and Cambridge Universities and others, and bound in England by craftsmen using traditional methods, and top quality leather bindings. An Allan Bible is very special, beautiful and most durable. Despite its exceptional quality and attention to detail, Allan Bibles have been virtually unknown in the United States. Today, in large part due to the "information highway" (i.e. internet) the secret is now "out of the bag." Allan Bibles are similar in quality to Cambridge Bibles, however, they are still published on a small scale where craftsmanship and detail are more critical than quantity. Evangelicalbible.com is proud to be among the first to deliver these to American customers.
A quick note on why Allan Bibles are 'unique.' There are a variety of reasons to choose an Allan Bible, many of which are documented here. Highland Goatskin Allan Bibles are
unique in that the binding skin is exactly what has been extracted from the goat. The
grain on the Bible is in fact the grain of the
beast. All other Bible grains have been manipulated in some capacity, usually
by pressing the skin into a mold. Thus, in some sense all other leather
grain patterns are artificial. (Cambridge also has some 'true' bindings as well) Highland Goatskin is 100% natural and
therefore will sport unique and original markings. Allan chooses the best skins, however, there will be markings on the binding that may
represent a brief encounter with a barbed wire fence etc..Please note
that this is in a sense proof of its authenticity and uniqueness-not a
defect. Thus one aspect of Allan's binding that is essentially unique, is its choice of natural grain goatskin in stead of a leather mold.
We now have a page that helps customer become familiar with Allan Bibles: The Allan Navigation Page.
NEW Photos in Picasa Web Album: All of our Allan Bibles.
evangelicalbible.com can also be found on facebook-with more photos, information, discussions, etc. please become a 'fan.' 
Below: the new Allan Personal Size Reference Bibles (ESV)
A
note about Allan price fluctuations....We purchase our Allan Bibles
directly from the United Kingdom. They are sold to us in British
Pounds Sterling. Our prices therefore change based on the exchange
rate with the dollar. A quick example: The ESV1 Bible has had a price
variation as follows: $180.00-129.99.Allan ESV1 (Highland Goatskin)-available in Black, British Tan and Chocolate Brown (awaiting reprint in 2010)
Specifications.: see each Bible for their particular specifications.
Allan Publishers are regarded by many to be the most excellent Bible publishers on the planet. Allan is a relatively small publishing company located in Glasgow Scotland. Each Bible published is a work of art. Each Bible is literally hand made-and not mass produced. Goatskins are procured from Nigeria, publishing occurs in Holland and binding in London-all with a focus on detail and quality. Please read our exclusive rankings and recommendations.
Read articles about Allan Bibles: Mark Bertrand and other Bible Reviews
Please help us improve product knowledge by writing a review for an R. L. Allan Bible. Your comments are truly indispensable, since the Allan Bible is still something of a secret. There is a review tab at the bottom of each product. Thank you for helping. The following review does an excellent job introducing Allan craftsmanship:
"I just received this item and it is my first Bible by R. L. Allan &
Sons. Until I held this Bible in my hands I had no idea what soft
leather was, the Highland goatskin is nothing short of amazing, it has
an almost liquid quality about it. When you hold this Bible in your
hands there can be no mistake, this is a thing of rare quality. The
full yapp covers add to the experience of holding this Bible as does
the wonderful smell of the goatskin. In fact everything about this
Bible, down to the smallest detail bespeaks quality. It is printed on
acid free paper that feels very good in the hand, the ribbon markers
(there are two of them) are as soft as any I have seen and catch and
reflect light is a neat way.
The vintage style of type used adds to the overall charm of this
edition. My impression is that an average Victorian Englishman would
have felt very much at home with this Bible. From the binding to the
typeface to the fascinating (and very useful) Cyclopedic Concordance,
everything about this Bible harkens back to the taste and style of a
bygone age.
While this Bible is a thing of quality, I do not think it should be
called a "luxury Bible." There is not the slightest hint of it being
ostentatious, it lacks any unnecessary ornamentation. While
unpretentious it does stand out, but it stands out for all of the right
reasons." (Michael, Asheville, NC)
Glossary of Terms
Goatskin
A beautiful and very durable top-quality, natural grain leather. Strong yet supple, it is used for the finest bindings. Traditionally known as Morocco leather.
Calfskin leather
A traditional high-quality leather used in fine bindings. It is long-lasting and its suppleness increases with use. Cambridge calfskin bindings use only top-grain leather.
French Morocco leather
Leather taken from a split calfskin, slightly thinner than other grades and therefore flexible and soft even when new. A French Morocco binding offers high-quality real leather at an economical price.
Berkshire leather
A term for pigskin — the material most commonly used in bookbinding when
'genuine leather' is the description used.Art-gilt edges
A decorative finish to the page edges in which a red dye and gilt foil combine to add richness and lustre to the finished volume.
Bible paper
Thicker than India paper, but still much thinner than common book papers.
Gilt edges
A decorative finishing style in which a gold-coloured metallic foil is applied to the edges of the pages after they have been cut and rubbed smooth. Silver foil is often applied to the page edges of volumes bound in white. See also art-gilt edges.
Gilt line
A plain gold line or 'frame' on the inside covers.
India paper
The paper traditionally used for the best quality Bibles. The name is now generally used for papers that weigh less than 30 grammes per square metre ('20lb' paper in the USA.)
Reference Edition
A Bible that includes cross-references to guide the reader to other parts of the Bible where similar subjects are treated. Footnotes also give variant readings of the text. Reference editions often include a concordance, maps and other study material.
Text Edition
A Bible in which the text only is provided, without cross-references.
Thumb Index
Thumb indexed editions have semi-circular cuts made by hand
in the outer margins of the pages. The abbreviated names of
the books of the Bible are stamped on small tabs, which are
firmly glued on to the first page of the individual books, to
enable the reader to find the page quickly.
Pronunciation marks
Some Bible texts incorporate a phonetic system for indicating the
way difficult names should be pronounced, showing the vowel sounds
and stressed syllables, as in a dictionary. These volumes are sometimes
called 'self-pronouncing'.
(click on links below)
